St Stephens primary Bath

[mrsrat]

We are hoping to move to Bath and have put in an offer for a house that is 0.2 miles from this school. Education dept have told me school heavily over subscribed but wont tell me how many people on waiting list and if being so close I automatically get to the top of the list. ( I understand siblings getting priority) Is it sensible to home school and wait for a place to become available for DD2 in year 4 at moment or is this just a stupid idea

[generous]

We live in Bath so sort of know what goes on.

St Stephens is indeed very oversubscribed. It is a popular school. However, all schools have a turnover and therefore you might get a place relatively quickly.

Bath primary schools are great - our children go to Bath's least popular but are having a great time and doing very well. So, if you decide not to wait, you'll probably find that your children are very happy at the other two local schools, St Andrews or St Saviours. (although less happy about the walk!)

St Andrew always strikes me as a very interesting school; the head there turned around St Julian's in Wellow and has a very creative approach. They use the Egg Theatre for their Christmas production and I think that one of the teachers won 'teacher of the year', although please don't quote me on that!

[treas]

As I recall the new Priest in charge at St. Stephens Church found it difficult to get his children into the school.

[PinkPoncho]

Hi my ds is at St Stephen's and has had a couple of children join the class who have moved nearby. I am not sure how the waiting list thing works but there might be something in the Bath & NES schools application booklet which might help? (www.bathnes.gov.uk > school admissions). I'm not sure but I think I remember reading something in passing when we applied about even when there is a waiting list new applications may take precedence depending on certain things (possibly living close by?) It's a church school so attending the church if you do, would probably be helpful. The siblings having priority is in regards to new applicants but I'm also not sure if that includes in-year applicants. It would also be a good plan to go make an appointment to see the head who is very friendly and happy to meet new parents. He showed us and our dc around and was very helpful.

Like generous mentioned there are other good schools nearby and when we were applying the new head was not at St Andrews but we would definitely have been thinking of applying to there too. I hear if you are a pupil at St Andrews you can go to the Egg for performances for free but don't quote me on that!

I think we are lucky in bath there seem to be great schools around.

[generous]

St Saviours has a ukele band, so your children could strum away as they walk back up the very steep hill!

[mrsrat]

Thank you so much for the advice. Treas you did make me laugh. Will make appointment to see school next week if possible. You are right i cannot believe how many good outstanding state schools there are in Bath. I cant wait to move ( nothing to do with the shops of course )